Think your pet has the purr-fect Halloween look? Enter our spooky-fun photo contest and help raise funds for cats in need!
✨ How it works
📸 Enter your pet’s photo for just $1
💜 Supporters can vote for their favourites with a $1 donation per vote.
🏆The best photo overall as judged by the Maneki Neko Cat Rescue judging panel wins a photo session with our competition sponsor Instinct Photography and a spot in our forthcoming photobook “Tough Kitties”.
✨The photo with the most votes in each category wins a spooktacular Halloween hamper full of cat-themed treats!
The best photo overall as judged by the Maneki Neko Cat Rescue judging panel wins a photo session with our competition sponsor Instinct Photography and a spot in our forthcoming photobook “Tough Kitties” featuring rescue cats.
👑 Categories
- Halloween Classics – Show off your pet’s creepiest, cutest, or funniest Halloween look.
- Anything Goes – Let your imagination run wild! The weird, the extravagant and even the down right cute are welcome here.
- Pets as People – Think celebrities, movie characters or their pet parent.
🐾 All pets are welcome – cats, dogs, bunnies, birds, and beyond!
Every entry and vote helps us rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome cats and kittens across Victoria. 💜
Remember to frequently check your standing toward the end of the contest in case you want to vote again. VOTING IS VERY BRISK AN HOUR BEFORE THE CONTEST ENDS!!!
Lastly, just a reminder that every vote helps the animals in our care, AND all donations over $2 are tax deductible (ABN 55 784 389 320A) .
PLEASE VOTE EARLY AND OFTEN – WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!!!
Pets, Paws & Pumpkins – A Halloween Photo Showdown is proudly sponsored by Instinct Pet Photography where Melbourne photographer Dave Mayes ensures a seriously fun photo session tailored to suit you and your pet’s vibe.
Rules
- Each entry must include: a photograph, up to 25 words detailing the pet/s name and background.
- Participants may submit photographs of any domestic pet species or breed.
- A fee of $1 per entry is payable via the contest website.
- Acceptable entries must:
- Be uploaded via the contest website
- Be in digital format, printed photos are not permitted
- Be copyright free
- Only include the pet being entered (no humans)
- The submission period starts at 12:00 AM (AUS Eastern Time) on Wednesday, 01 October 2025 and ends at midnight (11:59:59 PM AUS Eastern Time) on Wednesday, 22 October 2025.
- This contest is a game of skill, and chance plays no part in determining the winner.
- Category winners are determined by highest number of votes.
- Overall Best Photo winner will be determined by the Maneki Neko Cat Rescue judging committee. To be eligible entrants must be located within 50km of Melbourne. Only photos of cats will be eligible for this prize.
- Participants may enter as many categories as they choose. All entries will be included the overall best photo category if eligible.
- Participation is open only to Australian residents aged 18 years or older.
- Once an entry is approved for submission, it will appear in the online gallery and will be open to voting by the general public.
- Any photograph that includes content that is determined by the Maneki Neko Cat Rescue judging panel to be inappropriate, offensive, indecent or obscene, or otherwise not appropriate for public display, will be disqualified from the contest. A decision to exclude a photograph entry is final and unreviewable. No refund will be provided to participants who have their photographs disqualified.
- Animals must be depicted in a humane, comfortable, safe and dignified manner.
- Any dress-ups or costumes must allow the animal to move freely and exhibit normal behaviours.
Established in 2012, Maneki Neko Cat Rescue has successfully rehomed over 10,000 cats. Our mission focuses on collaborating with the community, various organisations, businesses, and local councils to enhance the health and welfare of Victorian cats and kittens.
The Maneki Neko (Lucky Cat) is a Japanese symbol of success, prosperity, good health, and happiness. We strive to embody these values through our rescue efforts and community outreach.
Our Objectives:
Healthy and Happy Cats – Ensuring the wellbeing and safety of all cats and kittens in our care.
- Educate and Advocate – Raising awareness about responsible pet ownership and promoting animal welfare.
- Passionate Volunteers – Empowering our dedicated volunteers and foster carers.
- Support Rescue Groups – Collaborating with other rescue organisations to achieve better outcomes.
- No-Kill Community – Working towards a community where all healthy and treatable cats find loving homes.
Our Impact:
During the 2023-2024 year, we rescued approximately 1,200 cats and successfully rehomed around 800 cats as well as assisting the community to desex over 500 cats. With the help of over 200 volunteers and foster carers, we are able to care for over 350 cats and kittens at any given time.